Adivasis oppose deity looking like Hindu goddess at Kako shrine

Adilabad: Adivasis have raised objections over installation of a deity looking like a Hindu goddess, instead of the traditionally looking deity of Padmalpuri Kako in the newly constructed temple for the tribal goddess on banks of River Godavari near Gudirevu in Dandepalli mandal of Mancherial district.

Some persons backed by a political leader are reportedly behind the installation of the statue that appears like a Hindu goddess.

Leaders of various Adivasi organisations feel the attempt to install a statue that in no way resembles the Adivasi deity is nothing but an onslaught on their unique Adivasi culture and their gods and goddesses. It is said local non-tribals have influenced the temple committee members into installing another goddess at the Gudirevu temple instead of Padmalpuri Kako.

Adivasi leader and sarpanch Kumra Shyam Rao of Chinchughat in Adilabad Rural mandal said it is unfortunate that the old Padmalpuri Kako deity is being kept aside. Instead, a new deity looking like a Hindu goddess is being installed in the new Padmalpuri Kako temple in Gudirevu.

Kako means grandmother in Gondi. She is considered the goddess of Ethmasur pen (Gussadi). It is said there are only two deities of Padmalpuri Kako in the country. The one at Gudirevu in Telangana is considered sacred by Adivasis across the country.